Is this image borderline for competitions

I am posting this image to spark a discussion on images that borderline photo competition rules. I have never entered this nor do I intend to enter it in any competition, but I will admit that it borderlines competition rules because it is kind of an aquarium/confined water image. I actually planned this shot over three days, then huffed my camera gear and wetsuit over some cliffs at Laguna Beach to a beautiful area of tide pools and reefs. I was actually fully submerged in a "natural" environment, but I wasn't free swimming as most competition rules require. The dark area at the top portion of the picture is actually the surface of the top of the water (still as Hell, I was). My wife is distorted but our plan worked. She brought a yellow and blue jacket to give contrast to the image (as we planned). The yellow one worked better so that's what we went with. The anemones were right near the surface and the rest of the pool was just reef, so I didn't squash any animals during this endeavor. But the question is: Would it be ethical to enter this in a competition?

I think it'd be fun to see other images that you think border the rules and an explanation as to why. Any takers?

By the way, this is the third time I posted this. The other two times someone hacked Wetpixel and the posts were lost. Bastards.

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Joe BelangerAuthor, Catalina Island - All you Need to Knowwww.californiaunderwater.comwww.visitingcatalina.com

Personally I think the imge that Alex entered of the Lion Fish was the best and should have won, but that's just my 2 cents, also remember this one from our own picture of the week, it's 2 dead fish! if that can win a competiton then your's has to stand a chance:

Funnily enough, my favourite was Patrick's shot - and I was there so could vote for it. I think subject matter is always important in underwater photography competitions. Big and exciting is always good.

I was speaking to Laurent Ballesta at last year's Antibes festival and he said to me that one reason he thinks he always does so well in that competition is that his portfolio always contains a couple of big or exciting subjects that the judges have never seen before. Personally I think it is because he is the best underwater photographer in the world!

You never know what people or judges like or don't, so enter it when you find the right time.

I have sat on a few panels of judges and I am constantly amazed at what differing tastes people have. I would not have any clue as to what any of the other judges were thinking of and no doubt they thought the same about me! Sometimes you actually find yourself fighting to include the shot you think is clearly the best to get it included among the runners-up or even to get it included at all!

I buy my own photographic kit. Diving equipment manufacturers and diving services suppliers get even-handed treatment from me whether they choose to advertise in the publications I write for or not. All the equipment I get on loan is returned as soon as it is finished with.Did you know you can now get Diver Mag as an iPad/Android app?

That's an interesting image for sure. Although you didn't ask for critique as such, my first reaction was, if you had hand held a strobe above the water to fill in the shadows and make you wife brighter, that would be kinda cool. But, you didn't ask so, disgregard that.

I'm totally fine with that image as being an "underwater" photo. IF the rules specified that all the photos must have been taken while on scuba, and you don't say exactly if you were or not, but if you weren't the comp rules would answer the question. But I see White shark images, dolphin images, winning competitions and the shots were not taken on scuba. At least as I define it. Snorkeling or using a hooka line is not scuba. But that's the definition that some contests use. Others don't. I seem to recall a similar setting winning BOS at Epic a few years ago.

Oh, and I really like the shot. You're planning paid off in a unique photo.

I see no problem as long as you were submerged for the shot. That being subject to each competitions rules but, if you were standing in knee deep water with only the camera underwater maybe not. I seem to recall some contests not allowing Pole Cam shots now and that would be somewhat similiar if you were not submerged.

I am always open to critique, so no issue with me if you wanna lend your expertise. I look at my own 'good pics' and always ask myself how I can do better. Advice is actually appreciated, at least that's my personal desire...moderators may see it differently depending on thread intent. Nonetheless, with the sun behind her, your comment makes total sense, and given the shallow depth, I could have easily done that.

And Jeff, that's a great, rare shot, I'll admit.

Joe BelangerAuthor, Catalina Island - All you Need to Knowwww.californiaunderwater.comwww.visitingcatalina.com